Minister and Fifa row over sanctions

NO GO: The football match between New Zealand and Fiji has been called off over New Zealand's refusal to issue a visa to Fijan player Simione Tamanisau because of sanctions over the country's military coup.

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World soccer's governing body, Fifa, and the Government are offside with each other over the Government's sanctions policy toward Fiji, which has made Fifa cancel a World Cup qualifying match in Auckland.
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Football NZ may now seek compensation from the government for the $200,000 it lost in missed gate takings, Radio NZ reported.

Fifa called off the match, scheduled for Albany's North Harbour Stadium today, because it disagreed with the Government's decision to deny Fiji goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau entry into New Zealand.

Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said Fifa's decision was "unjust" and a "complete U-turn".

Since the coup last December, the Government has had sanctions in place that ban all travel to New Zealand by members of the Fiji military and their families.

Tamanisau's partner's father is a military policeman. He and his partner were due to be married this weekend and though they are not yet legally "family", the Government's policy is understood to cover partners and their families.

Mr Peters said no one had a right to enter New Zealand - it was a "privilege".

The sanction ban overrode the exemption that had been granted to the Fijian team, therefore making Tamanisau ineligible for a visa, Mr Peters said.

Fifa said yesterday it considered the visa refusal to be inconsistent with the practice of providing visas for visiting sides whose only objective was to play in World Cup qualifiers.

After complaints from Fijian football officials, it cancelled the match, drawing a quick response from Mr Peters.

"All countries retain the right to exclude individuals in accordance with their immigration policy. Sporting bodies do not determine those policies, " he said.

"New Zealand has processed this matter in accordance with its immigration policy. It is Fiji which has chosen to make this matter political."

Muddying the goalposts in the row is the position of Fiji football boss Shams-ud Dean Sahu Khan. The Fijian Football Association president is reportedly a supporter of the military regime and known for his political involvement.

Mr Peters said he offered to explain New Zealand's policy on Fiji to Fifa president Sepp Blatter. "However, my office was told that Mr Blatter was unavailable."

New Zealand Football chief executive Graham Seatter said neither the Government nor Fifa had shown a willingness to compromise, leaving him "hugely disappointed" and frustrated.

If the Government's policy did not change, the game would be played at a neutral Pacific venue, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News